First Dateshttp://firstdates.tv
Mon, 12 Sep 2016 23:01:17 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=5.0.3“First Dates” Season 2 Crowdfunding Campaign!http://firstdates.tv/blog/first-dates-season-2-crowdfunding-campaign-360
http://firstdates.tv/blog/first-dates-season-2-crowdfunding-campaign-360#respondMon, 12 Sep 2016 23:01:17 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?p=360OUR CAMPAIGN First Dates is a web series about the trials, tribulations and troubles of online dating. The show launched in July 2015, and received over 130k views across its 10 episodes. It went on to be featured at the Miami Webfest, Hollyweb Festival, Brooklyn Web Festival and the American Black Film Festival. Now, as […]

First Dates is a web series about the trials, tribulations and troubles of online dating. The show launched in July 2015, and received over 130k views across its 10 episodes. It went on to be featured at the Miami Webfest, Hollyweb Festival, Brooklyn Web Festival and the American Black Film Festival. Now, as part of the New Voices Crowdfunding Competition, the show is seeking funds, followers and distribution!

If we are able to meet the competition’s goals of crowdfunding $10k and getting 1,000 followers, we will receive technical help, industry coaching and additional financial support from Seed & Spark. We’ll also be eligible for an additional TV development deal. But most importantly, this will guarantee the production of a second season of First Dates, which means the opportunity for BlackOakTV to achieve its mission of producing content for a population of underrepresented minorities that’s craving to see their own stories told. So if you’re interested in contributing or following our campaign, check us out at our crowdfunding page on Seed & Spark!

WHY SHOULD WE BE THE ONES TO MAKE THE SERIES…

The co-creators, myself (Uzo Ometu) and Talibah Newman, truly love episodic content. We’re both huge fans of great TV shows like House of Cards, Power, Real Husbands of Hollywood and Orange is the New Black, so the idea of creating characters and worlds of our own is something we love, and a passion we think you will see in our work. However, we’re simple people, who just love to laugh too. Which is why we appreciate comedy in all forms, including the web series! And we love the great web series out there that explore characters of underrepresented ethnicities, like Hello Cupid, Awkward Black Girl, That Guy and The Pursuit of Sexiness. And in that same vein, we wanted to make First Dates not just a funny dramedy about life, but one that explores diverse characters and situations, and does so on the web for an audience that can truly appreciate it.

So if you liked Season 1, we hope you trust us to do even better in Season 2. And if you haven’t seen Season 1, you should watch it, and know that Talibah has done tremendous production work on big budget films like Soul Men, has won a Director’s Guild Award for Busted on Brigham Lane, and she directed an HBO distributed short film, Sweet Honey Chile. Hopefully those bona fides let you know that Season 2 can only get better and makes you want to join us for the ride!

]]>http://firstdates.tv/blog/first-dates-season-2-crowdfunding-campaign-360/feed/0We’re Going to Miami!http://firstdates.tv/blog/were-going-to-miami-355
http://firstdates.tv/blog/were-going-to-miami-355#respondWed, 01 Jun 2016 17:01:18 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?p=355First Dates is an Official Selection of the American Black Film Festival Well, folks…this is the cherry on top of what was a very fun first full season of First Dates. After being a part of the Miami Webfest, the Hollyweb Fest, and the first ever Brooklyn Webfest, we are proud to announce that we’ve made it into […]

]]>First Dates is an Official Selection of the American Black Film Festival

Well, folks…this is the cherry on top of what was a very fun first full season of First Dates. After being a part of the Miami Webfest, the Hollyweb Fest, and the first ever Brooklyn Webfest, we are proud to announce that we’ve made it into the final festival we submitted to, and we are an official selection of the 2016 American Black Film Festival!

This is a huge honor for us! As a web series that features a black lead, a primarily black cast, and a primarily black–and very diverse–crew, we couldn’t be happier to be a part of not just a web fest, but a community of filmmakers that truly appreciates content from black creators. So big props to everyone who helped make this happen! From our folks in front of the camera like our leading lady Angela Wildflower and our snarky bartender Justin Sams, to our folks behind the scenes, like Charlotte Dupre and Elliot Cuff, that make visions come to life, this doesn’t happen without them, and I hope everyone takes some semblance of pride in having the show’s first season culminate with a worthwhile selection into what I believe is going to be a very entertaining festival!

So with that said, we look to take in the experience of being a part of this great festival from June 15th to 19th, and we plan to take you all through it with us! So please follow us on Instagram at @BlackOakTV, the home of First Dates, and we’ll be sure to take you through the experience.

And of course, keep sharing episodes of First Dates, with your friends…we need all the love we can get if there’s going to be a season 2!

]]>http://firstdates.tv/blog/were-going-to-miami-355/feed/0HollyWeb Fest, Here We Come!http://firstdates.tv/blog/hollyweb-fest-here-we-come-350
http://firstdates.tv/blog/hollyweb-fest-here-we-come-350#respondMon, 22 Feb 2016 12:16:16 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?p=350Hey folks! Sadly, it has been a long time since you’ve heard from us, but I promise, that is about to change. Especially since our latest good news means you will be seeing us in an LA theater near you! That’s right, “First Dates” is now an official selection of the 2016 HollyWeb Festival in Los […]

]]>Hey folks! Sadly, it has been a long time since you’ve heard from us, but I promise, that is about to change. Especially since our latest good news means you will be seeing us in an LA theater near you!

So if you are a fan of the show, check out their website in early March for tickets so that you can experience “First Dates” on the big screen. Some of our cast and crew will be in attendance, so you will get the chance to meet the creative talent behind the series. In addition, there will be many other awesome series there, and we’re looking forward to watching them and meeting the people behind those wonderful shows.

If it’s been a while since you’ve watched “First Dates,” or if you still need to catch up on the latest episodes, check out our YouTube page and subscribe so that you stay in the loop. We’ll have some definitive news about episodes to come in late March, so make sure you’re signed up for the newsletter, too!

]]>http://firstdates.tv/blog/hollyweb-fest-here-we-come-350/feed/0“Frank” – Episode #1.10http://firstdates.tv/video/frank-episode-1-10/
http://firstdates.tv/video/frank-episode-1-10/#respondWed, 21 Oct 2015 09:00:06 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?post_type=video&p=340In the Season #1 finale of First Dates, Samantha goes on a date with someone of an ilk she was not expecting. Meanwhile, she also has an interesting text message exchange with a date from the past. Additionally, Samantha gets an update on the status of her health. Subscribe to /FirstDatesTV: firstdates.tv/subscribe Follow us on Twitter: […]

]]>In the Season #1 finale of First Dates, Samantha goes on a date with someone of an ilk she was not expecting. Meanwhile, she also has an interesting text message exchange with a date from the past. Additionally, Samantha gets an update on the status of her health.

]]>http://firstdates.tv/video/frank-episode-1-10/feed/0Season Finale Update!http://firstdates.tv/blog/season-finale-update-342
http://firstdates.tv/blog/season-finale-update-342#respondMon, 19 Oct 2015 04:21:16 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?p=342Some of you may be wondering…”where in the heck is the season finale!” Well, rest assure, we have you covered! The season #1 finale of First Dates will be uploaded and streaming this Wednesday, October 21st. So what’s the reason for the delay? There is none. We just wanted to build up some suspense in the […]

]]>Some of you may be wondering…”where in the heck is the season finale!”

Well, rest assure, we have you covered! The season #1 finale of First Dates will be uploaded and streaming this Wednesday, October 21st.

So what’s the reason for the delay? There is none. We just wanted to build up some suspense in the hopes that we could get our late-arriving fans caught up with the previous 9 episodes. So in the event that you are one of those late-arriving fans, here’s a guide for you, too!

“The Pilot“: Samantha gets upsetting news from her husband, leading her into a spiral of emotional reactions and ultimately, online dating.

“The Guide“: Sam reviews her first few dates and takes a liking to an online dating guide.

“Doctor“: Sam’s excited about her date with a doctor, only to see he’s no Doogie.

]]>http://firstdates.tv/blog/season-finale-update-342/feed/0“Chris” – Episode #1.09http://firstdates.tv/video/chris-episode-1-09/
http://firstdates.tv/video/chris-episode-1-09/#respondMon, 05 Oct 2015 01:00:53 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?post_type=video&p=337This week Samantha goes on a date with yet another doctor. This time, Dr. Chris seems a lot less aggressive than the last doctor she went on a date with. But even as the Doctor tries his best to come off as a good dude, Samantha may have her mind on other things. Subscribe to […]

]]>This week Samantha goes on a date with yet another doctor. This time, Dr. Chris seems a lot less aggressive than the last doctor she went on a date with. But even as the Doctor tries his best to come off as a good dude, Samantha may have her mind on other things.

]]>http://firstdates.tv/video/chris-episode-1-09/feed/0“Ted & Blair” – Episode #1.08http://firstdates.tv/video/ted-blair-episode-1-08/
http://firstdates.tv/video/ted-blair-episode-1-08/#respondSat, 03 Oct 2015 21:30:39 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?post_type=video&p=334Sam (Angela Wildflower Polk) apparently has decided to start picking up the pace. Let’s check her out as she goes on back-to-back dates with 2 dudes–one of which appears to be in the running for not being the worst person in the world. Meanwhile, everyone’s favorite ex-husband, Dave (Andre Columbus), shows us how the fruits […]

]]>Sam (Angela Wildflower Polk) apparently has decided to start picking up the pace. Let’s check her out as she goes on back-to-back dates with 2 dudes–one of which appears to be in the running for not being the worst person in the world.

Meanwhile, everyone’s favorite ex-husband, Dave (Andre Columbus), shows us how the fruits of his labor have been working out with an exhibition that may or may not prove his skills as a country music singer.

]]>http://firstdates.tv/video/ted-blair-episode-1-08/feed/0Hello, Brooklyn…Webest, Props to Shana!http://firstdates.tv/blog/hello-brooklyn-webest-props-to-shana-330
http://firstdates.tv/blog/hello-brooklyn-webest-props-to-shana-330#respondMon, 21 Sep 2015 12:25:13 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?p=330Well, with great work comes great honor. First Dates is an “Official Selection” of the Brooklyn Webfest! That means we will be a part of the realist borough’s inaugural webfest, with a chance to show our web series to an entirely new audience. More on the Brooklyn Webfest! BKWF is an annual web series festival and content creator […]

]]>Well, with great work comes great honor. First Dates is an “Official Selection” of the Brooklyn Webfest! That means we will be a part of the realist borough’s inaugural webfest, with a chance to show our web series to an entirely new audience.

BKWF is an annual web series festival and content creator conference held at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP located in DUMBO, Brooklyn, NY. Our goal is to highlight the best narrative storytelling the web has to offer and bring together internet innovators and industry influencers to share knowledge and forge professional relationships through a series of panels, educational workshops and networking events.

In addition to us being an official selection, Shana Solomon, who plays “Elaine” in the web series, has been nominated for the “Best Supporting Actress” award. Thus, giving us 2 reasons to celebrate! So if you want to hear more from us at First Dates and potentially see our lady bring home some hardware, be sure to join us at the Brooklyn Webfest this October!

]]>http://firstdates.tv/blog/hello-brooklyn-webest-props-to-shana-330/feed/0“Dave” – Episode #1.07http://firstdates.tv/video/dave-episode-1-07/
http://firstdates.tv/video/dave-episode-1-07/#commentsMon, 21 Sep 2015 11:59:09 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?post_type=video&p=328Watch Episode #1.07 of First Dates, as Sam gets a blast from the past. In the process, she quickly learns that Dave has a certain admirer of his country music singing ass, but there’s still no escape from his constant need for financial support. Subscribe to /FirstDatesTV: firstdates.tv/subscribe Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/firstdatestv Hit us up […]

]]>Watch Episode #1.07 of First Dates, as Sam gets a blast from the past. In the process, she quickly learns that Dave has a certain admirer of his country music singing ass, but there’s still no escape from his constant need for financial support.

]]>http://firstdates.tv/video/dave-episode-1-07/feed/1“Lance” – Episode #1.06http://firstdates.tv/video/lance-episode-1-06/
http://firstdates.tv/video/lance-episode-1-06/#respondMon, 14 Sep 2015 05:36:28 +0000http://firstdates.tv/?post_type=video&p=325In episode #1.06, we get a chance to see some of Sam’s friends all in one place. Despite the fact that there are one too many folks that end up in that same place, she manages to seem some hope out of her date with Lance, an old friend that both Sam and Jamie, seem to know […]

]]>In episode #1.06, we get a chance to see some of Sam’s friends all in one place. Despite the fact that there are one too many folks that end up in that same place, she manages to seem some hope out of her date with Lance, an old friend that both Sam and Jamie, seem to know very well.